Interestingly, an inclination towards non team orientated
sports has superseded the attractiveness of being part of a group of 39 people
dedicated to an exceptionally worthy cause in Motor Neurone Disease and
ultimately, entering the New York Marathon.
So, why does Jen Gearing wife, Mother of two sons and full
time employee in a demanding role in Financial Services take up Marathon
Running?
“I have always had a fitness lifestyle before having
children, participating in Triathlons, cycling events and numerous fun runs. I
work at Suncorp as did Scott so I knew his story, his commitment and his
determination to make a difference. Through this, I got to know the MND group
and became caught up in the group training and really enjoyed it.
As for marathons, I never wanted to do one so New York will
be my first. I was overwhelmed by Sarah’s marathon, running half for her and
half for Scott. It was so inspiring. When the team at MND said they were doing
New York, I used every excuse to not do it finally falling back to
affordability. I said I would do all the training with them and then I said to
Michael (Husband) that I want to do New York and we would find the money. He
was keen to go to the Rugby World Cup so the deal was done. I was doing New
York and he was doing the RWC in London.
But that all changed when he said he would really like to
come to New York and run the Marathon for MND instead.”
Jen spoke with emotion about how important MND and ME is to
her and the need to find a cure. She spoke with feeling about the “randomness”
with which it strikes and how we should never take our health for granted. Her
commitment to the cause is equal, if not greater than her commitment to
training for New York.
As to what Jen is expecting in New York on Marathon morning,
she imagines the excitement, the noise, the throng of so many people and their
own individual emotions and expectations. Jen referenced the anticipation of
running through iconic areas of New York and past places of historical
importance. She spoke of imagining the feeling as she crosses the finishing
line, “I actually think I will be
tearing up with about 10 kilometres to go and will definitely cry as I cross
the finish line. I feel the same completing a half marathon at the Gold Coast
so a Marathon will be something else again and in New York. I actually think
leaving Brisbane will be very emotional too as we set off without the kids on
an adventure we never thought would happen to us”.
Jen’s 9 and 12 year old sons are excited for the adventure
their parents are embarking upon and have an understanding of the cause. “They
are aware and would often ask how Scott was getting on”.
Her parents think she is crazy and don’t really understand “why would anyone want to run for over 4
hours”. While her two older sisters are among her greatest supporters.
Preparation is well under way and comprises four sessions a
week. Longest sessions are 2.5 hours at the moment, interspersed with less intense
and speed sessions. “I am pretty much following the program Paul is putting out
each week and making adaptions where I feel I need to.” So far injury free and that’s how we
want to stay.
“I love the way I feel after a run, as if I have achieved something.
I feel healthy and alive, it’s great”.
As for fund raising,
establishing an “Every Day Hero” page specifically for New York and would
value every single dollar that is contributed so we may learn more about the
horrific thing that is Motor Neurone Disease.
Finally, when thinking New York and the Marathon, Jen used
the words “excited” and “scared” and referenced a desire to test herself, to go
further than she has gone before physically and mentally. By doing this marathon, she hopes to be
part of a group that has made a difference for MND and Me.
To support Jen, go to:
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